Child Feeding System

ABSTRACT

A spout pouch, configured to removably couple to a feeding device, for feeding liquid to a child includes a spout having an inner surface that includes at least one feature selected from the group consisting of a ridge, rib, boss, recess, groove and step. The inner surface is configured to engage with a portion of the feeding device when the portion of the feeding device is inserted into the spout. The spout pouch also includes a pouch of flexible material coupled to the spout and configured to hold the liquid. Other systems, methods, and components are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2013/064456, filed Oct. 11, 2013, which claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/854,054 filed Mar. 30, 2013, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/712,527filed Oct. 11, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to feeding systems, and more particularlyto a nipple, infant feeding system, and child feeding system.

BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, baby feeders have taken the form of a generallycylindrical bottle (typically, glass or plastic) and a removable nippleclosing one end of the bottle. The nipple is commonly secured to thebottle by a threaded circular ring or collar having a central holethrough which the nipple protrudes and which holds it securely to thebottle. An example is U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,364, issued Feb. 14, 2012 toLadan Asadi.

In some feeders using rings or collars to secure the nipple, flexibleliners are inserted inside a rigid bottle to hold the liquid contents.An example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,000, issued Sep. 9, 2003 to CharlesRenz and assigned to Playtex Products, Inc.

Some baby feeders attach a removable nipple directly to a disposablefeeder body. An example is U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2012/0234790A1.

Many kinds of flexible, reclosable bags are known and used for foodstorage, including liquid foods, and some of these are used forreceiving storing breast milk. One example is the Medela™ “pump andsave”™ breastmilk bag. This bag is essentially a flat pouch closed onthree sides but having a throat or opening extending the width of thebag on the top side through which the bag may be filled when opened. Thebag is closed by forcing a rib along the top into a correspondingchannel to form a friction seal. A separate feeder bottle is requiredfor subsequent feeding of the contents.

These systems all require significant handling during milk collection,storage, and preparation for feeding, and can unnecessarily expose thecontents to contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment of the invention, a spout pouch, configured toremovably couple to a feeding device, for feeding liquid to a childincludes a spout having an inner surface that includes at least onefeature selected from the group consisting of a ridge, rib, boss,recess, groove and step. The inner surface is configured to engage witha portion of the feeding device when the portion of the feeding deviceis inserted into the spout. The spout pouch also includes a pouch offlexible material coupled to the spout and configured to hold theliquid.

In another embodiment, a method of feeding a liquid to a child includesproviding a spout pouch having a spout of substantially rigid material,the spout having an inner surface that includes at least one featuretherein selected from the group consisting of a ridge, rib, boss,recess, groove and step, and a pouch of flexible material coupled to thespout and configured to hold the liquid. The method further includescoupling a feeding device to the spout of the spout pouch, the feedingdevice having a connector configured to engage with the at least onefeature when the connector is inserted into the spout.

In another embodiment of the invention, a child feeding system includesa spout pouch having a spout of substantially rigid material having aninner surface that includes at least one feature therein selected fromthe group consisting of a ridge, rib, boss, recess, groove and step anda pouch of flexible material coupled to the spout and configured to holda liquid. The system further includes a feeding device removably coupledto the spout of the spout pouch and having a connector configured toengage with the at least one feature when the connector is inserted intothe spout.

In related embodiments, the spout may have an opening having across-sectional area greater than about three square centimeters. Thespout may have an outer surface that includes threads. The feedingdevice may be a nipple having a connector with a circumferentiallydisposed flange, the circumferentially disposed flange may be configuredto engage with the at least one feature, and the connector may beconfigured to insert into the spout and engage with the at least onefeature so as to hold the feeding utensil in place inside the spoutand/or form a liquid tight seal with the spout. The feeding device maybe a feeding utensil that includes a connector configured to be coupledto the spout pouch, the connector having an axial bore and a connectorregion configured to insert into the spout and engage with the at leastone feature so as to hold the feeding utensil in place inside the spoutand/or form a liquid tight seal with the spout, and a feeding regionconfigured to be placed in a mouth of the child, the feeding regionhaving an orifice, in communication with the axial bore, configured toallow liquid to flow from the spout pouch through the axial bore and theorifice and into the mouth of the child. The feeding region may have ashape of a feeding spout or a spoon. The spout may have two flanges onan outer surface of the spout, the two flanges spaced apart from oneanother and configured to receive a holder between the two flanges. Themethod may further include inserting the spout pouch into a holder, theholder having a top and a body, and the top of the holder has an openingconfigured to removably receive and secure the spout and the body has aninterior configured to receive the spout pouch. The system may furtherinclude a holder having a top and a body, and the top of the holder mayhave an opening configured to removably receive and secure the spout andthe body may have an interior configured to receive the spout pouch. Theopening in the top of the holder may be C-shaped and/or may beconfigured to laterally receive the spout. The body of the holder mayhave at least one opening configured to allow the insertion of the spoutpouch into the interior of the body, and the at least one opening may bedisposed in a location opposite the top or on a side of the body.Inserting the spout pouch into the holder may include inserting thespout pouch into the interior of the holder and forcing the spoutlaterally into the opening in the top of the holder. The spout may besecured to the holder with a snap fit. The spout may include two flangesspaced apart from one another and configured to receive the holderbetween the two flanges such that the spout is snapped into the openingin the holder forcing one flange above and one flange below the top ofthe holder. The system may further include a threaded cap configured tocover the spout, and the spout may have an outer surface that includesthreads configured to mate with the threaded cap.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of collecting expressedbreast milk for later feeding to an infant includes providing a spoutpouch, the spout pouch having a spout, coupling the spout of the spoutpouch to a breast pump, and operating the breast pump to express breastmilk into the spout pouch, so that the spout pouch collects theexpressed breast milk.

In related embodiments, coupling the spout of the spout pouch to thebreast pump may include coupling an adapter to the spout. The adaptermay have a threaded end configured to mate with threads on the breastpump. The method may further include inserting the spout pouch into aholder. The holder has a top and a body, and the top of the holder hasan opening configured to removably receive and secure the spout and thebody has an interior configured to receive the spout pouch. The methodmay further include attaching a nipple to the spout of the spout pouchfor feeding to the infant. The spout may have a cross-sectional areagreater than about three square centimeters.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method of feeding a liquid toan infant includes providing the liquid in a spout pouch, the spoutpouch having a spout, and coupling a nipple to the spout of the spoutpouch.

In related embodiments, coupling the nipple may include coupling thenipple in a manner that requires no other hardware. The nipple mayinclude a connector having an axial bore that is coupled to an orificein the nipple, the connector may hold the feeding utensil in placeinside the spout and/or form a liquid tight seal with the spout of thespout pouch, and coupling the nipple to the spout may include insertingthe connector into the spout. The connector may have an inlet region andthe inlet region further includes a circumferentially disposed flange,the spout may include a feature configured to receive the flange, andcoupling the nipple to the spout may include inserting the connectorinto the spout until the flange has engaged with the feature. Thefeature may be a recess or a ridge in the spout. The method may furtherinclude inserting the spout pouch into a holder, the holder having a topand a body, wherein the top of the holder has an opening configured toremovably receive and secure the spout and the body has an interiorconfigured to receive the spout pouch. The opening may be C-shapedand/or may be configured to laterally receive the spout. The body mayhave at least one opening configured to allow the insertion of the spoutpouch into the interior of the body, wherein the at least one opening isdisposed in a location opposite the top or on a side of the body.

In another embodiment of the invention, a nipple formed of a deformablematerial includes a connector configured to be coupled to a container ofliquid. The container has an opening, the connector includes a connectorregion configured to engage with the opening of the container so as tohold the feeding utensil in place inside the spout and/or form a liquidtight seal with the opening without need for additional hardware, andthe connector includes an axial bore. The nipple further includes a tipregion configured to be placed in a mouth of an infant. The tip regionhas an orifice in communication with the axial bore, so that the liquidcan flow from the container through the axial bore and the orifice intothe mouth of the infant.

In related embodiments, the orifice may be a slit. The nipple may have alongitudinal axis that is aligned with the axial bore and the nipple mayfurther include a skirt that generally surrounds the connector, theskirt having a bottom end that has an oblong shape, the oblong shapehaving a long axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. Thenipple may further include a skirt having a lower region that generallysurrounds the connector and an abutment region that abuts the tipregion, wherein the abutment region has a stiffness greater than astiffness of the lower region. The skirt may include a shoulder betweenthe abutment region and the lower region. The slit may have a length anda slit axis along the length, and wherein the long axis of the oblongshape of the skirt is transverse to the slit axis. The nipple may have alongitudinal axis that is aligned with the axial bore and the nipple mayfurther include a skirt that generally surrounds the connector, theskirt having a bottom end that has an oblong shape, the oblong shapehaving a long axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. Theconnector may have an inlet region and the inlet region may furtherinclude a circumferentially disposed flange configured to secure theconnector to the opening. The container may be a spout pouch having aspout, and the spout defines the opening of the container, and the spoutmay include a feature configured to receive the flange.

In related embodiments, a nipple system includes a nipple, as describedabove, a nipple cover configured to cover the nipple, and a baseconfigured to removably inter-engage with the nipple cover when thenipple cover covers the nipple, so that the nipple cover and theinter-engaged base form a case for the nipple.

In related embodiments, an infant feeding system includes a nipple, asdescribed above, and a spout pouch having a spout, wherein the connectorof the nipple is configured to engage with the spout so as to hold thefeeding utensil in place inside the spout and/or form a liquid tightseal with the spout without need for additional hardware.

In related embodiments, the infant feeding system may further include aholder having a top and a body, wherein the top of the holder has anopening configured to removably receive and secure the spout and thebody has an interior configured to receive the spout pouch. The infantfeeding system may further include a nipple cover configured to coverthe nipple. The nipple cover may be further configured to releasablyengage with the nipple. The infant feeding system may further include athreaded cap configured to cover the spout, wherein the spout includesthreads configured to mate with the threaded cap.

In another embodiment of the invention, a nipple formed of a deformablematerial includes a skirt having a bottom end with an oblong shape thathas a long axis, a securing flange coupled to the bottom end of theskirt, the securing flange configured to be secured to a container ofliquid, and a tip region configured to be placed in a mouth of aninfant. The tip region has an orifice that allows the liquid to flowfrom the container into the mouth of the infant, wherein the orifice isa slit having a length and a slit axis along the length, and wherein thelong axis of the oblong shape of the skirt is transverse to the slitaxis.

In related embodiments, an infant feeding system includes a nipple, asdescribed above, and an engagement ring configured to secure thesecuring flange to a container that holds liquid, so that the liquid isallowed to flow from the container into a mouth of an infant.

In another embodiment, an infant feeding system includes a nipple, asdescribed above, and a nipple adapter configured to secure the nipple toa container that holds liquid, so that the liquid is allowed to flowfrom the container into a mouth of an infant. The infant feeding systemmay further include a nipple cover configured to cover the nipple.

In another embodiment, a feeding utensil includes a connector configuredto be coupled to a spout pouch. The spout pouch has a spout, theconnector includes a connector region configured to insert into thespout and engage with the spout of the spout pouch so as to hold thefeeding utensil in place inside the spout and/or form a liquid tightseal with the spout, and the connector includes an axial bore. Thefeeding utensil further includes a feeding region configured to beplaced in a mouth of a child. The feeding region has an orifice, incommunication with the axial bore, configured to allow the liquid toflow from the spout pouch through the axial bore and the orifice andinto the mouth of the child. The feeding region may have the shape of aspoon or a feeding spout. In related embodiments, the connector mayinclude a circumferentially disposed flange, and the spout may include afeature configured to receive the flange. The feeding region and/or theconnector may be made of a silicone material.

In another embodiment, a feeding system includes a feeding utensil, asdescribed above, and a spout pouch having a spout, wherein the connectorof the feeding utensil is configured to engage with the spout so as tohold the feeding utensil in place inside the spout and/or form a liquidtight seal with the spout. In related embodiments, the spout may have across-sectional area greater than 3 square centimeters and the connectorregion may be removably engagable with the spout. The feeding regionand/or the connector may be made of a silicone material.

In another embodiment, a child feeding kit includes a spout pouch havinga spout that is configured to connect with a plurality of feedingdevices, and at least two of the following: (1) a nipple, as describedabove, (2) a feeding utensil, as described above, and (3) an adapterhaving a threaded end configured to mate with threads on a breast pump.The feeding utensil connector and the nipple connector are configured toengage with the spout so as to hold the nipple or feeding utensil inplace inside the spout and/or form a liquid tight seal. In relatedembodiments, the child feeding kit may further include a liquid storagecontainer having a lid with a lid opening. The lid opening is configuredto engage with the spout so as to allow liquid to flow from the liquidstorage container to the spout pouch. The child feeding kit may includeat least two feeding utensils, one having the shape of a spoon and onehaving the shape of a feeding spout. The feeding region and/or theconnector may be made of a silicone material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood byreference to the following detailed description, taken with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled infant feeding systemincluding a holder, spout pouch, nipple (not visible), and nipple coveraccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an infant feeding system with a spoutpouch (with cap) being assembled into a holder, along with a nipple andnipple cover according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cap being assembled on to a spoutpouch according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a spout pouch being connectedto a breast pump, using a threaded adapter, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple adapters which may be used tocouple a spout pouch to various breast pumps, for collecting breastmilk, according to embodiments of the present invention. Additionally,these adapters may be used to couple feeding nipples to spout pouches,for the purpose of feeding an infant, according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a spout pouch with a cap assembled toform a liquid tight seal according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a feeding nipple insideits case, according to embodiments of the present invention. The top ofthe case is a cover for the nipple and holder, when the nipple isremovably coupled to the spout pouch, and the spout pouch is removablycoupled to the holder.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the nipple assembled to the spoutpouch, for the purpose of feeding an infant according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary holder for a spout pouchaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 a is a perspective view and FIG. 10 b is a rear view showing thespout pouch assembled to the holder according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 a is a close-up, perspective view and FIG. 11 b is across-sectional view showing a snap fit between the spout of the spoutpouch and the holder according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the assembly of the nipple ontothe spout pouch, the spout pouch being held in the holder according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the top of the nipple case beingused to push the nipple into the spout pouch according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembled spout pouch, nipple, andholder according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 a-15 d show a one-piece feeding nipple having an oblong shapeaccording to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 15 a shows aperspective view of the bottom, FIGS. 15 b and 15 c show side front andside views, respectively, and FIG. 15 d shows a top view of theone-piece feeding nipple. FIG. 15 d shows a slit at the tip of thenipple, through which the pouch contents pass into the infant's mouth.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a one-piece feeding nipple havingan oblong shape that is designed to be pushed into a spout pouch for thepurpose of feeding an infant according to embodiments of the presentinvention. This figure shows in detail the connector, which gets pushedinto the spout of the spout pouch. It also shows the flange on theconnector, which can engage with a feature in the spout of the spoutpouch, to help hold the nipple in place.

FIG. 17 is a perspective, bottom view showing the nipple inside thenipple cover according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a spout pouch with an adapter for fittinga conventional feeding nipple and ring onto the spout pouch according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 a and 19 b show an exploded view and an assembled view,respectively, of an oblong nipple having a securing flange secured ontoa conventional bottle according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 20 a and 20 b show an exploded view and an assembled view,respectively, of an oblong nipple secured onto a conventional bottleusing a nipple adapter according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 21 a and 21 b show an exploded, perspective view of variousfeeding devices being connected to a spout pouch according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of a feeding utensil in the shape of aspoon connected to a spout pouch according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of a liquid storage containerconfigured to engage with a spout pouch according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 shows a liquid storage container being filled with liquid fromanother device according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 25 shows a liquid storage container lid with a lid openingaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a liquid storage container connected with a spout pouchaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Definitions. As used in this description and the accompanying claims,the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless thecontext otherwise requires:

A “spout pouch” is a flexible pouch to which is affixed a spout that isconfigured to receive a cap; the cap alone can be coupled, without useof other hardware, to the spout of the spout pouch.

A “feeding spout” is a spout that is configured to be placed within themouth and to be affixed to a spout pouch.

A “cap” for a spout pouch is a single-piece component.

A spout that is “substantially rigid” is a spout that retains shapesufficiently so that the spout can be readily coupled to another member,to form a liquid tight seal, without use of any additional hardware.

A “liquid” includes any of breast milk, formula, milk, juice, and pureedfood.

“Expressed breast milk” includes breast milk that has been pumped,collected extracted or gathered.

A “nipple” is a feeding appliance for an infant, wherein a portion ofthe appliance is coupled to a container of liquid and a tip region ofthe appliance is configured to be placed in a mouth of the infant sothat the liquid can flow from the container into the mouth of theinfant.

An “orifice” in a nipple includes a slit, a hole, or a combination ofboth, through which liquid emerges into the mouth of an infant using thenipple to ingest the liquid.

A “slit” in a nipple is an orifice created without the removal ofmaterial in the nipple, so that opposing walls of the nipple definingthe slit are in contact with one another over their entire length whenthe nipple is not deformed. For example, a slit is formed when a knifeis used to pierce through a layer of material, and is moved through thematerial, cutting the material but not removing any material from theoriginal shape. A slit may be straight or curved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled infant feeding system 10.The infant feeding system 10 may include a holder 12, a spout pouch 14,a nipple 16 (shown in FIG. 2), and a cover 18. In one embodiment of theinvention, the spout pouch 14 snaps into the holder 12. A rigid spout 20(described in more detail below) snaps into a feature on the holder 12,after being forced through a narrow gap in the holder 12. The spoutpouch 14 may be inserted into the holder 12 by passing through openingseither in the bottom, sides, front, and/or back of the holder 12. Thecover 18, which also serves as the top of a nipple case (shown anddescribed in more detail below in FIG. 7), attaches to the nipple 16(which is inserted into the spout of the spout pouch), or it may attachto the holder 12. The cover 18 may be coupled to the nipple 16 or holder12 by any of a friction fit, a snap fit, a magnetic coupling, aconnection that requires a twisting action, or other type of connection.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the infant feeding system 10 with thespout pouch 14 and cap 22 being assembled into the holder 12, and anipple 16 and nipple cover 18. The spout pouch 14 has a spout 20 that isconfigured to snap fit into the holder 12. The holder 12 may be athin-walled plastic shell, designed to hold the generally rigid spout 20of the spout pouch 14. The connection between the spout 20 and holder 12may be any of a friction fit, a snap fit, a magnetic coupling, aconnection that requires a twisting action, or other type of connection.On one embodiment, the nipple 16 is oblong in shape, for the purpose ofa more ergonomic connection with an infant's mouth. The nipple 16connects to the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 by a connector 24 (shownin more detail in FIGS. 15 a-15 d) on the bottom of the nipple 16. Theconnector 24 has a hollow bore 26, through which liquids, foods, pastes,or gels pass from the pouch into the infant's mouth. In use, theconnector 24 is pushed into the opening of the spout 20, creating aliquid-tight connection between the connector 24 and the spout 20. Theconnector 24 may be slightly larger in size than the opening of thespout 20, but the connector 24 may be made of a compressible material,so it may be forced into the opening of the spout 20. In one embodiment,the nipple 16 is a single piece, made of a single material.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cap 22 being assembled on to a spoutpouch 14. The spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 may be made of a generallyrigid material, and is configured to receive a cap 22 capable of forminga water tight seal. In one embodiment, the cap 22 may be threaded,having helical features which interact with features on the spout 20,causing the cap 22 to form a liquid-tight seal with the spout when thecap 22 is twisted relative to the spout 20. In other embodiments, thecap 22 may be pressed, pulled, or twisted into place onto the spout 20.In other embodiments, the connection between the cap 22 and spout 20 maybe an interference fit (e.g., where two or more elements are forcedtogether, causing the materials to deform at their interface), afriction fit (e.g., where the cap is held to the spout by friction), asnap fit, or a latch fit (e.g., where a pressing, pulling, twistingaction is required to secure the cap to the spout). In one embodiment,the pouch 14 material is a thin, flexible plastic film, and the spout 20is a thicker, more rigid plastic material.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a spout pouch 14 beingconnected to one end of a breast pump 28, using a threaded adapter 30.In use, the adapter is coupled to the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14,and the end of the breast pump 28 is coupled to the adapter 30. Thebreast pump is then operated to express breast milk into the spout pouch14 so that the spout pouch 14 collects the expressed breast milk. In oneembodiment, the spout pouch 14 is configured to receive the breast milkthat is pumped from a woman's breast by a breast pump. In order toattach to multiple different pumps available on the market, varioustypes of adapters, such as shown in FIG. 5, may be provided to couplethe spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 to the end of a breast pump 28. Inone embodiment, the adapter 30 is coupled to the spout 20 of the spoutpouch 14 by a threaded connection, and the other side of the adapter iscoupled to the outlet of a breast pump 28 by a threaded connection. Inother embodiments, the connection between adapter 30 and spout pouch 14may be any of an interference fit, a friction fit, a snap fit, or alatch fit. Similarly, the connection between adapter and breast pump maybe any of an interference fit, a friction fit, a snap fit, or a latchfit. Connecting the adapter 30 to the end of the breast pump 28, orconnecting the adapter 30 to the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 mayrequire any of (or any combination of) twisting, pushing, pulling, orsqueezing. In yet another embodiment, the spout 20 may couple directlyto the outlet of a breast pump 28, by any of the means listed above,without the need for an adapter. In some embodiments, the spout pouch 14may be held in a holder 12 while the spout pouch 14 is coupled to theadapter, or to a breast pump, or both. A holder 12 may be used toprovide a stable base for holding the spout pouch 14 during and aftercollecting milk using a breast pump. The holder 12, and its connectionto the spout pouch 14, are described further below.

FIG. 5 shows multiple adapters which may be used to couple spout pouches14 to breast pumps, for collecting breast milk in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. Additionally, these adapters 30may be used to couple feeding nipples to spout pouches, for the purposeof feeding an infant. Since there are multiple different brands ofbreast pumps, there are many different types of connections required tocouple the spout pouches 14 to the outlets 28 of a variety of breastpumps available on the market. Different adapters may be provided, withdifferent types of connections, for coupling to a wide range of breastpumps for collection of pumped breast milk. These connections mayinclude any of a threaded connection, an interference fit, a frictionfit, a snap fit, or a latch fit. The other side of the adapter iscoupled to the spout of the spout pouch, to allow liquid to flow intothe pouch. The types of connections between the adapter and the nipplemay be any of the connection types listed above. Typically, theconnection between the adapter and the nipple will be a threadedconnection. In some cases, the adapter 30 used to couple a breast pumpto the spout pouch may be the same adapter that is used to couple afeeding nipple to the spout pouch. In some embodiments, an infant can befed using only the spout pouch 14 and a nipple 16. In other embodiments,a spout pouch, an adapter, and a nipple may be used. In yet anotherembodiment, a holder 12 may be used to hold the spout pouch duringfeeding, in conjunction with either an adapter and a nipple or a nipplealone.

FIG. 6 shows a spout pouch 14 with cap 22 assembled to form a liquidtight seal in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thespout is coupled to the pouch to form a liquid-tight vessel, designedfor holding liquids or foods for infant or child feeding. An infant orchild may feed directly from the pouch, either by passing the liquidfrom the pouch, through the spout into the infant's mouth (directly orindirectly), or the pouch may be used for storage only, and the contentsmay be transferred to another container for feeding. For direct feeding,different feeding devices may be used in conjunction with the spoutpouch. Various nipples, valves, openings, spoons, feeding spouts, andother devices for interfacing with an infant's or child's mouth may beconnected to the spout of the spout pouch. Various types of connectionsmay be used for coupling these feeding devices to the spout. Examples ofsuch connections are: threaded connections, an interference fit (e.g.,where two or more elements are forced together, causing the materials todeform at their interface), a friction fit (e.g., where the feedingdevice is held to the spout by friction), a snap fit (e.g., such asdescribed below with the nipple and feeding utensil connectors), or alatch fit (e.g., where a pressing, pulling, twisting action is requiredto secure the feeding device to the spout). Examples of feeding devicesare: nipples, perforated containers, openings, spoons, feeding spouts,and valves. Optionally, an infant or child could feed directly from thepouch without a feeding device attached—the infant or child could simplypour or suck the contents of the pouch through the pouch and into his orher mouth. Similarly, a spoon, a fork, a straw, or other utensil may bepassed through the spout in order to pick up and remove contents of thepouch for feeding. The connection between the cap and spout may be anyof the types of connections listed previously. Preferably, the spout 20has a cross-sectional area greater than about three square centimeters.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a feeding nipple inside its case 32in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The infantnipple case 32 includes a nipple cover 18 and a base 34 that cover andprotect a nipple 16. The case 32 components serve three purposes. 1) Thenipple cover 18 and base 34 of the case 32 combine to form a protectivecase for the nipple 16; 2) the nipple cover 18 of the case can be usedas a cover for the nipple 16 when the nipple 16 is assembled to thespout pouch 14, and the spout pouch 14 is assembled to the holder 12;and 3) the nipple cover 18 of the case can be used as a tool to push thenipple 16 into the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14, avoiding thenecessity of the user touching the nipple 16 directly with his or herhands and potentially contaminating it.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the nipple 16 assembled to thespout pouch 14, for the purpose of feeding an infant according toembodiments of the present invention. This figure shows the nipple 16pushed into the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14. In one embodiment, thenipple 16 is pushed into the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14, and aninfant could be fed directly from the spout pouch 14. In one embodiment,liquids contained within the spout pouch 14 would flow through the spout20 and nipple 16, through an orifice 36 in the nipple 16 (described inmore detail below in FIGS. 15 a-15 d), into the infant's mouth. In oneembodiment, the spout pouch 14 may be held in a holder 12 (described inmore detail in FIGS. 10 a-11 b). In yet another embodiment, the spoutpouch 14 may be held in a holder 12, and a nipple cover 18 may be usedto cover the nipple 16 to protect it from contamination (as describedabove in FIG. 7). In one embodiment, the nipple 16 may be coupled to thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14 by any of a threaded connection, afriction fit, a snap fit, a magnetic coupling, a connection thatrequires a twisting action, or other type of connection. In oneembodiment, the nipple (including a liquid-tight connector forconnection to the spout 20) is made of a single piece of material. Inother embodiments, the nipple and its connector may be made of multiplecomponents (as described in more detail below in FIGS. 19 a-19 b).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a holder 12 for aspout pouch 14 according to embodiments of the present invention. Theholder 12 may be a thin-walled plastic shell, with openings on the top12 a, bottom 12 b, front 12 c, and/or back 12 d of the holder. Theopening 38 a on the top 12 a of the holder may be a C-shaped openingthat is configured to receive a portion of the spout 20 of the spoutpouch 14, so as to couple the spout 20 to the holder 12 by way of a snapfit configuration, although other shaped top openings may also be used.The snap fit configuration will be described in more detail below. Inaddition, the holder 12 may have an opening 38 b in the bottom 12 b ofthe holder 12, an opening 38 c in the front 12 c of the holder 12,and/or an opening 38 d in the back 12 d of the holder 12. These openingscan be used for any of inserting the pouch 14 into the holder; squeezingthe pouch 14 to push gas, liquid, or food out of the pouch 14; or forgripping the holder 12. For example, two large openings 38 c, 38 d onthe front 12 c and back 12 d of the holder 12 may provide grippingsurfaces for a two-handed grip for an infant, as well as providingmultiple other gripping options for adults or infants.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show the spout pouch 14 assembled to the holder 12using a snap fit configuration between the spout 20 and the opening 38 ain the top 12 a of the holder 12. During assembly, the spout 20 may beinserted into the top opening 12 a of the holder 12 in a snap fitconfiguration. The opening 38 a may be C-shaped and may have a narrow“mouth” through which a portion of the spout 20 must be passed. Thewidth of the C-shaped opening 38 a is smaller than a dimension of aportion of the spout 20, such that the passing of the portion of thespout through the “mouth” of the C-shaped opening causes the spout 20 tobe substantially held in place. In other embodiments, a portion of thespout 20 may simply be forced into a portion of the holder 12, causingthe spout 20 to be coupled to the holder 12 by friction. In anotherembodiment, the spout 20 may be coupled to the holder 12 by a threadedconnection. In other embodiments, the spout 20 may be coupled to theholder by any of a friction fit, a snap fit, a magnetic coupling, aconnection that requires a twisting action, or other type of connection.In other embodiments, the holder 12 may have thicker walls, walls ofnon-uniform thickness, and/or may be constructed of flexible materials.

As shown in FIG. 10 b, the holder 12 may rest on a flat surface withoutthe pouch 14 contacting that surface, as a result of the pouch 14 beingsubstantially shorter than holder. As mentioned previously, the cap 22may be placed on the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14. The cap 22 may bethreaded onto the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14, forming a liquid-tightseal between the cap 22 and the spout 20. As shown, the spout 20 andspout pouch 14 can be coupled to the holder 12 with the cap 22 of thespout pouch 14 coupled to the spout 20, so as to ensure the contents ofthe pouch 14 are not spilled during installation of the pouch 14 intothe holder 12.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b, the coupling between thespout 20 and the holder 12 may be a snap fit as described above. Thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14 may have two flanges—an upper flange 40 aand a lower flange 40 b. The two flanges are spaced apart, such that,when the spout 20 is snapped into the opening 38 a in the holder, theupper flange 40 a is above a top surface of the top 12 a of the holder12, and the lower flange 40 b is below the top surface of the holder 12.With this type of configuration, the flanges 40 a, 40 b prevent movementof the spout 20 and pouch 14 within the holder 14, along thelongitudinal axis of the spout 20. The spout 20 may also include afeature 20 a, such as a circumferential ridge, rib, boss, groove, orstep, inside (or outside) the spout 20 with which the connector 24 mayengage and help hold the nipple 16 in place once it is coupled to thespout 20.

FIGS. 12 through 14 show the assembly of the nipple 16 onto the spoutpouch 14, the spout pouch 14 being held in the holder 12. As describedin more detail in FIGS. 15 a-15 d, the nipple 16 may have a skirt 42with a generally oblong shape. On the underside of the nipple 16, theremay be a connector 24 with an axial bore 26, as shown in FIG. 12. Duringthe nipple insertion process, the connector 24 gets pushed into thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14, forming a liquid-tight seal between theouter surface (or set of surfaces) of the connector 24 and the innersurface (or set of surfaces) of the spout 20 or of a feature connectedto the spout 20. The axial bore 26 passes from the end of the connector24 through to the tip of the nipple 16, where it meets the nippleorifice 36. Once the nipple 16 is pushed into place onto or into thespout 20, the contents of the pouch 14 can pass through the axial bore26 of the nipple 16, through the orifice 36, and into the mouth of aninfant.

As shown in FIG. 13, the nipple cover 18 may be used to push the nipple16 into the spout pouch 14. In this case, the nipple cover 18 is used asa tool to push the nipple 16 into place, as the connector 24 is forcedinto the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14, while also protecting thenipple 16 from contamination during the nipple insertion process. Oncethe nipple 16 is securely in place (e.g., once the connector 24 issecurely in place inside the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14), the nipplecover 18 may be lifted off, leaving the nipple 16 in place, securelycoupled to the spout 20 and forming a liquid-tight seal with the spout20. As such, the user's hands never come in direct contact with thenipple 16.

FIG. 14 shows the nipple 16 fully assembled onto or into the spout 20 ofthe spout pouch 14 with the spout pouch 14 assembled to the holder 12.As shown, the skirt 42 of the nipple 16 contacts a top surface of thetop 12 a of the holder once the connector 24 is coupled to the spout 20of the spout pouch 14. In one embodiment, the skirt 42 of the nipple 16and the holder 12 are both generally oblong in cross-sectional shape.The oblong shape of the skirt 42 of the nipple 16 helps to create a moreergonomic shape, and a better seal between the nipple 16 and an infant'smouth. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the skirt 42of the nipple 16 and of the holder 12 may be round, oval, or otherpolygonal shape with or without rounded corners.

FIGS. 15 a-15 d and 16 show a one-piece feeding nipple having an oblongshape that is designed to be pushed into a spout pouch 14 for thepurpose of feeding an infant. As shown, the nipple 16 includes aconnector 24 having a connector region 24 a which is designed to bepushed into, and engage, the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 to form aliquid-tight seal without the need for any additional rings or otherhardware. The nipple 16 also includes a tip region 44, which is meant tobe inserted into the mouth of an infant. In addition, the nipple 16includes a skirt 42 having a lower region 46 that generally surroundsthe connector 24 and connector region 24 a and an abutment region 48that abuts the tip region 44, such that the infant's lips meet thenipple 16 near the transition from the abutment region 48 to the lowerregion 46. The skirt 42 may having a bottom end 42 a that has agenerally oblong shape, with the oblong shape having a long axis (alongline L in FIG. 15 d) and a short axis (along line S in FIG. 15 d). Theabutment region 48 may have a textured surface, and there may be ashoulder 50 between the abutment region 48 and the lower region 46.

For example, there may be a slight “step” or raised area of materialnear where the tip region 44 connects to the skirt 42 along the abutmentregion 48. The shoulder 50 may be positioned at the approximate locationof an infant's lips during feeding from the nipple. The shoulder 50 mayextend around the circumference of the nipple 16. This step may beadvantageously positioned slightly outside the area where the connector24 meets the underside of the skirt 42. The shoulder 50 may be designedto provide an ergonomically or functionally favorable resting positionfor an infant's lips during feeding. The shoulder 50 may also helpprovide a better seal between an infant's lips and the nipple 16. Theabutment region 48 may have a stiffness greater than the stiffness ofthe lower region 46, (e.g., due to a greater thickness in the abutmentregion) in order to facilitate better latching or an ergonomically orfunctionally superior coupling between an infant's mouth and the nipple16 toward the lower region 46. For example, there may be a decrease inthickness of the material in the lower region 46 where an infant's lipsmay be positioned during feeding. Such a decrease in thickness may causea decrease in stiffness of the material at that location. This decreasein stiffness, or increase in apparent softness may help provide anergonomically or functionally favorable resting position for an infant'slips during feeding. This decrease in stiffness may also help provide abetter seal between an infant's lips and the nipple. In someembodiments, the shoulder 50 and the decrease in thickness describedabove may be combined. In some embodiments, the skirt 42 of the nipple16 may be round, rather than oblong, in shape. In one embodiment, thenipple 16 may be advantageously made of a single piece of material. Thishas many advantages, primarily the simplicity of only having one pieceto handle, store, clean, and install.

FIG. 15 b shows a front view of the long axis of the oblong shape of theskirt 42 of the nipple 16. FIG. 15 c shows a side view of the short axisof the oblong skirt 42 of the nipple 16. FIG. 15 d shows a top view of aone-piece feeding nipple with an orifice 36 at the tip of the nipple 16.The orifice 36 may be in the shape of a slit, through which the pouch 14contents pass into the infant's mouth. In one embodiment, the slit maybe oriented transverse to the long axis of the oblong shape of the skirt42 of the nipple, such as shown in FIG. 15 d. The slit length defines anaxis, “the slit axis”, along the short axis of the skirt 42, that istransverse to the long axis of the oblong nipple skirt 42. When the tipregion 44 of the nipple 16 is compressed in the direction of the slitaxis, the slit may open, allowing the flow of liquids, pastes, gels, orfood through the slit. The slit axis is oriented such that it will rungenerally from top to bottom in an infant's mouth, meaning that naturalup and down massaging motion of the infant's tongue can causedeformation along the slit axis, which can in turn cause the slit toopen, allowing the contents of the pouch 14 to flow through the slit.Additionally, suction from the infant's mouth may cause or increase theflow of the pouch contents through the slit. In other embodiments, theorifice in the tip region of the nipple may be a hole. A slit in thenipple may be a straight line, as described above, or it may be curved.A curved slit could be used to create different flow patterns ordifferent flows based on different types of deformation of the tipregion of the nipple.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a one-piece feeding nipple 16.As shown, the connector 24 may include a connector region 24 a, whichcan engage with a feature 20 a in the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14, tohelp hold the nipple 16 in place (such as shown and discussed in FIG. 11b). The connector region 24 a may be a flange. In one embodiment, thenipple 16, including the connector 24, the tip region 44 and the skirt42, may be made of a soft, compressible material, such as silicone orrubber. In one embodiment, the connector 24 may be frustro-conical inshape, with a round bore 26, and its outer diameter may be slightlylarger than an inside diameter of the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14.When the connector 24 is pushed into position inside the spout 20, theconnector 24 deforms and pushes out against an inner surface of thespout 20. As such, the connector 24 forms a liquid-tight seal with thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14, much in the same way that a cork orstopper forms a liquid-tight seal with the inner surface of a mouth of abottle. Alternatively, the connector 24 may fit on an outside surface ofan opening in the spout 20 in order to form a liquid-tight seal with thespout 20. For example, the connector 24 may engage one or both of aninternal surface of the spout 20 and an external surface of the spout20. In some embodiments, the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 may be madeof a relatively soft, compressible material, such that the spout 20deforms more than the connector 24 when the connector 24 is pushed intoplace. In one embodiment, there is a feature (e.g., a flange) thatextends around the circumference of the connector 24 in the connectorregion 24 a. The spout 20 may include a feature 20 a, such as acircumferential ridge, boss, or groove, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11 b)inside the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 with which this connectorfeature engages to help hold the nipple 16 in place once it is coupledto the spout 20. In one embodiment, this feature may be a groove, astep, or other feature that could engage with a feature in or on thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14 to help hold the nipple 16 in placeinside, or otherwise coupled to, the spout 20. FIG. 16 also shows theaxial bore 26, which is open at the bottom end of the connector, andextends through the nipple 16. The axial bore 26 is coupled to theorifice 36 at the tip of the nipple 16. As such, pouch 14 contents canflow through the axial bore 26, through the orifice 36, and into themouth of an infant.

FIG. 17 shows the nipple 16 inside the nipple cover 18. As stated above,a user may grip the top of the nipple cover 18, never touching thenipple itself, and use the top of the nipple cover 18 as a tool to pushthe nipple 16 into place in or on the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14.

FIG. 18 shows a spout pouch 14 with an adapter 30 for fitting aconventional feeding nipple 52 and attachment ring 54 onto or into thespout pouch 14 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 19 a and 19 b show an oblong nipple 16 having a securing flange 16a at the bottom of the skirt 42 that may be secured onto or into aconventional bottle 56 using a standard attachment ring 54, e.g., lockring, all in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Asshown, the attachment ring 54 may attach to the top of a bottle 56 usinga threaded connection. The nipple 16 may have a securing flange 16 athat connects to the bottom of the skirt 42 and extends outward, suchthat the flange 16 a is pressed against a surface of the bottle when theattachment ring 54 is assembled to the bottle 56. In one embodiment, thesecuring flange 16 a forms a liquid-tight seal with a surface of thebottle 56, when the attachment ring 54 is tightened into place. In oneembodiment, the skirt 42 of the nipple 16 that contacts the infant'smouth may be oblong in shape. The securing flange 16 a may extendoutward from the base of the skirt region to form a circle at its outerperimeter. For example, the nipple 16 includes of a tip region 44connected to a generally oblong skirt 42, which is connected to a thinsecuring flange 16 a that is generally circular at its outer edges.

FIGS. 20 a and 20 b show an oblong nipple 16 having a connector 24 thatis secured onto or into a conventional bottle 56 using a nipple adapter58 according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown, thenipple adapter 58 couples the nipple 16 to a container for feeding aninfant. The nipple adapter 58 has at least one generally cylindricalopening 60 through which liquid flows during feeding. The nipple adapter58 includes a first end 58 a and second end 58 b. The first end 58 a isconfigured to be coupled to a nipple 16, and the second end 58 b isconfigured to be coupled to an infant feeding container, e.g.,conventional bottle 56. The nipple adapter 58 may contain a spout-likefeature on the first end 58 a, with an opening configured to receive aconnector 24 on the bottom of a nipple 16. On the second end 58 b of thenipple adapter 58, there are threads (not shown) for coupling the nippleadapter 58 to a container 56 for feeding an infant. Different adapters58 of this sort will allow connection of this type of nipple 16 to awide range of different types of infant feeding containers 56. In oneembodiment, the first end 58 a of the nipple adapter 58 has an openingconfigured to receive a connector 24 of the type described above, whilethe second end 58 b of the nipple adapter 58 has an internally threadedconnection for coupling with a threaded baby bottle 56. As such, thesecond end 58 b of nipple adapter 58 threads onto a baby bottle 56, andthe nipple 16 with connector 24 can be pushed into the opening on thefirst end 58 a of the nipple adapter 58, as described previously above.The first end 58 a of the nipple adapter 58 may have internal featuresas described previously for engaging features on the connector 24, tohelp hold the nipple in place relative to the nipple adapter 58. A widevariety of bottle types exist, so there may be several different typesof connections and threads that can be used on the second end 58 b ofthe nipple adapter 58 for coupling to feeding bottles 56. There may beexternal threads on the first end 58 a of the nipple adapter 58,configured to receive a cap 22.

FIGS. 21 a and 21 b show two different feeding utensils 64 that may beconnected to a spout pouch 14 according to embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 21 a shows a feeding utensil 64 in the shape of afeeding spout, and FIG. 21 b shows a feeding utensil 64 in the shape ofa spoon. The feeding utensil 64 includes a connector 66 with an axialbore 68 that is configured to connect to a container, such as a spoutpouch 14 described above. The connector 66 is similar, and functions ina similar manner, to the connector 24 with axial bore 26 shown anddiscussed above with respect to the nipple 16. The feeding utensil 64also includes a feeding region 64 a configured to be placed in a mouthof a child. The feeding region 64 a has an opening 68 a that is incommunication with the axial bore 68 and which is configured to allowthe liquid to flow from the container, e.g., spout pouch 14, through theaxial bore 68, through the opening 68 a and into or onto the feedingregion 64 a.

During the feeding utensil insertion process, the feeding utensilconnector 66 may be pushed into the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14,forming a liquid-tight seal between the outer surface (or set ofsurfaces) of the connector 66 and the inner surface (or set of surfaces)of the spout 20 or of a feature connected to the spout 20. The axialbore 68 may pass from the end of the connector 66 through to the feedingregion 64 a of the feeding utensil 64. Once the feeding utensil 64 ispushed into place onto or into the spout 20, the contents of the pouch14 can pass through the axial bore 68 of the feeding utensil 64, throughthe opening 68 a, onto the feeding region 64 a (e.g., the spoon as shownin FIGS. 21 b and 22) or into the feeding region 64 a (e.g., the feedingspout as shown in FIG. 21 a), and into the mouth of a child.

As discussed above in connection with the nipple 16, the connector 66may include a connector region 66 a, which can engage with a feature 20a (such as shown and discussed in FIG. 11 b) in the spout 20 of thespout pouch 14, to help hold the feeding utensil 64 in place. Theconnector region 66 a may be a flange. The feeding utensil 64 (e.g., thefeeding region 64 a and/or the connector 66) may be made of a soft,compressible material, such as silicone or rubber. A soft, compressiblematerial may provide the additional benefit of helping to create theliquid tight seal and providing a gentle feeding experience for ateething infant or child. The connector 66 may be frustro-conical inshape, with a round bore 68, and its outer diameter may be slightlylarger than an inside diameter of the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14.When the connector 66 is pushed into position inside the spout 20, theconnector 66 deforms and pushes out against an inner surface of thespout 20. As such, the connector 66 forms a liquid-tight seal with thespout 20 of the spout pouch 14, much in the same way that a cork orstopper forms a liquid-tight seal with the inner surface of a mouth of abottle. Alternatively, the connector 66 may fit on an outside surface ofan opening in the spout 20 in order to form a liquid-tight seal with thespout 20. For example, the connector 66 may engage one or both of aninternal surface of the spout 20 and an external surface of the spout20. The spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 may be made of a relatively soft,compressible material, such that the spout 20 deforms more than theconnector 66 when the connector 66 is pushed into place. In someembodiments, there may be a feature (e.g., a flange) that extends aroundthe circumference of the connector 66 in the connector region 66 a. Thespout 20 may include a feature 20 a, such as a circumferential ridge,boss, or groove, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11 b) inside the spout 20 ofthe spout pouch 14 with which this connector feature engages to helphold the feeding utensil 64 in place once it is coupled to the spout 20.This feature may be a groove, a step, or other feature that could engagewith a feature in or on the spout 20 of the spout pouch 14 to help holdthe feeding utensil 64 in place inside, or otherwise coupled to, thespout 20. The axial bore 68, which is open at the bottom end of theconnector 66, and extends through the feeding region 64 a. As such,pouch 14 contents can flow through the axial bore 26, to the feedingregion 64 a, and into the mouth of a child. The feeding utensil 64 mayinclude a cover 70, similar to cover 18 discussed above.

Alternatively, the feeding utensil 64 may be threaded, having helicalfeatures which interact with features on the spout 20, causing thefeeding utensil 64 to form a liquid-tight seal with the spout when thefeeding utensil 64 is twisted relative to the spout 20. In otherembodiments, feeding utensil 64 may be pressed, pulled, or twisted intoplace onto or into the spout 20. In other embodiments, the connectionbetween feeding utensil 64 and spout 20 may be an interference fit(e.g., where two or more elements are forced together, causing thematerials to deform at their interface), a friction fit (e.g., wherefeeding utensil is held to the spout by friction), a snap fit, or alatch fit (e.g., where a pressing, pulling, twisting action is requiredto secure feeding utensil to the spout).

The spout pouch 14, nipple 16, feeding utensil 64, and adapter(s) 30 maybe part of a child feeding kit that allows the spout pouch 14 to be usedwith various types of feeding devices as well as a breast pump. In orderto fill the spout pouch 14, (e.g., with liquids such as pureed food), aliquid storage container 72 may be used, such as shown in FIG. 23. Asshown, the liquid storage container 72 has a lid 74 that is removablycoupled to the liquid storage container 72. The lid 74 includes a lidopening 74 a configured to engage with the spout 20 so as to allow theliquid to flow from the liquid storage container 72 to the spout pouch14. The container 72 may include a cover 76 that covers the lid opening74 a in the lid 74.

In use, the liquid storage container 72 may be filled from a container78 that holds the liquid, such as a blender, juicer, or larger storagecontainer, as shown in FIG. 24. Once the liquid storage container 72 isfilled with the desired amount of liquid from the container 78, the lid74 is secured to the top of the container 72, and the cover 76 may beplaced over the opening 74 a, (e.g., for storage, transport, etc.), suchas shown in FIG. 25. To fill the spout pouch 14, the opening 74 a of theliquid storage container 72 is connected to the spout 20 of the spoutpouch 14, as shown in FIG. 26. The liquid storage container 72 may beconnected to the spout pouch by any number of mechanisms, e.g., insertedinto, rested on top of, snap fit into or onto, a threaded connection, aninterference fit, etc. The liquid storage container 72 may be made fromflexible materials that allow the container 72 to be readily squeezed sothat the liquid contained therein is pushed out and into the spout pouch14. The lid 74 may include a spout 74 b so that the container 72 may beeasily connected to the spout pouch 14. The liquid storage container 72may be able to fill one or more spout pouches 14.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to bemerely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparentto those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications areintended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined inany appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spout pouch for feeding liquid to a child, thespout pouch configured to removably couple to a feeding device, thespout pouch comprising: a spout of substantially rigid material, thespout having an inner surface that includes at least one featureselected from the group consisting of a ridge, rib, boss, recess, grooveand step, the inner surface configured to engage with a portion of thefeeding device when the portion of the feeding device is inserted intothe spout; and a pouch of flexible material coupled to the spout, thepouch configured to hold the liquid.
 2. A spout pouch according to claim1, wherein the spout has an opening having a cross-sectional areagreater than about three square centimeters.
 3. A spout pouch accordingto claim 1, wherein the spout has an outer surface that includesthreads.
 4. A spout pouch according to claim 1, wherein the feedingdevice is a nipple and the at least one feature on the inner surface ofthe spout is configured to engage with a circumferentially disposedflange on a connector of the nipple, the connector configured to insertinto the spout and engage with the at least one feature so as to holdthe nipple in place inside the spout.
 5. A spout pouch according toclaim 1, wherein the feeding device is a feeding utensil that includes aconnector configured to be coupled to the spout pouch, the connectorhaving an axial bore and a connector region configured to insert intothe spout and engage with the at least one feature so as to hold thefeeding utensil in place inside the spout; and a feeding regionconfigured to be placed in a mouth of the child, the feeding regionhaving an orifice, in communication with the axial bore, configured toallow liquid to flow from the spout pouch through the axial bore and theorifice and into the mouth of the child, wherein the feeding region hasa shape of a feeding spout or a spoon.
 6. A spout pouch according toclaim 1, wherein the spout has two flanges on an outer surface of thespout, the two flanges spaced apart from one another and configured toreceive a holder between the two flanges.
 7. A method of feeding aliquid to a child, the method comprising: providing a spout pouch havinga spout of substantially rigid material, the spout having an innersurface that includes at least one feature therein selected from thegroup consisting of a ridge, rib, boss, recess, groove and step; and apouch of flexible material coupled to the spout, the pouch configured tohold the liquid; and coupling a feeding device to the spout of the spoutpouch, the feeding device having a connector configured to engage withthe at least one feature when the connector is inserted into the spout.8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the spout has an openinghaving a cross-sectional area greater than about three squarecentimeters.
 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the spout has anouter surface that includes threads.
 10. A method according to claim 7,wherein the feeding device is a nipple and the connector includes acircumferentially disposed flange that is configured to engage with theat least one feature so as to hold the nipple in place inside the spout.11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the feeding device is afeeding utensil that includes the connector having an axial bore and aconnector region configured to insert into the spout and engage with theat least one feature so as to hold the feeding utensil in place insidethe spout; and a feeding region configured to be placed in a mouth ofthe child, the feeding region having an orifice, in communication withthe axial bore, configured to allow the liquid to flow from the spoutpouch through the axial bore and the orifice and into the mouth of thechild, wherein the feeding region has a shape of a feeding spout or aspoon.
 12. A method according to claim 7, further comprising: insertingthe spout pouch into a holder, the holder having a top and a body,wherein the top of the holder has an opening configured to removablyreceive and secure the spout and the body has an interior configured toreceive the spout pouch.
 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein theopening is C-shaped.
 14. A method according to claim 12, wherein theopening is configured to laterally receive the spout.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 12, wherein the body has at least one openingconfigured to allow the insertion of the spout pouch into the interiorof the body, wherein the at least one opening is disposed in a locationopposite the top or on a side of the body.
 16. A method according toclaim 12, wherein inserting the spout pouch into the holder includesinserting the spout pouch into the interior of the holder; and forcingthe spout laterally into the opening in the top of the holder.
 17. Amethod according to claim 12, wherein the spout is secured to the holderwith a snap fit.
 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the spoutincludes two flanges spaced apart from one another and configured toreceive the holder between the two flanges such that the spout issnapped into the opening in the holder forcing one flange above and oneflange below the top of the holder.
 19. A child feeding systemcomprising: a spout pouch having a spout of substantially rigidmaterial, the spout having an inner surface that includes at least onefeature therein selected from the group consisting of a ridge, rib,boss, recess, groove and step; and a pouch of flexible material coupledto the spout, the pouch configured to hold a liquid; and a feedingdevice removably coupled to the spout of the spout pouch, the feedingdevice having a connector configured to engage with the at least onefeature when the connector is inserted into the spout.
 20. A childfeeding system according to claim 19, wherein the spout has an openinghaving a cross-sectional area greater than about three squarecentimeters.
 21. A child feeding system according to claim 19, furthercomprising: a holder having a top and a body, wherein the top of theholder has an opening configured to removably receive and secure thespout and the body has an interior configured to receive the spoutpouch.
 22. A child feeding system according to claim 21, wherein theopening is C-shaped.
 23. A child feeding system according to claim 21,wherein the opening is configured to laterally receive the spout.
 24. Achild feeding system according to claim 21, wherein the spout is securedto the holder with a snap fit.
 25. A child feeding system according toclaim 24, wherein the spout includes two flanges spaced apart from oneanother and configured to receive the holder between the two flangessuch that the spout is snapped into the opening in the holder forcingone flange above and one flange below the top of the holder.
 26. A childfeeding system according to claim 19, wherein the feeding device is anipple and the connector includes a circumferentially disposed flangethat is configured to engage with the at least one feature so as to holdthe nipple in place inside the spout.
 27. A child feeding systemaccording to claim 19, wherein the feeding device is a feeding utensilthat includes the connector configured to be coupled to the spout pouch,the connector having an axial bore and a connector region configured toinsert into the spout and engage with the at least one feature so as tohold the feeding utensil in place inside the spout; and a feeding regionconfigured to be placed in a mouth of the child, the feeding regionhaving an orifice, in communication with the axial bore, configured toallow liquid to flow from the spout pouch through the axial bore and theorifice and into the mouth of the child, wherein the feeding region hasa shape of a feeding spout or a spoon.